Duncan Grant's diary discovered nearly 50 years later

A diary belonging to Scottish artist Duncan Grant has been found nearly 50 years after he passed away. Grant, born in 1885, was an important member of the Bloomsbury Group, a group of influential artists and writers. The diary was begun on January 21, 1911, and was a gift from his mother. The discovery was made by Poppy Woodeson, the daughter of an art historian. She found the diary while sorting through her late mother’s belongings. Woodeson expressed her surprise at finding such an important piece of art history. The diary offers a unique look into Grant’s life during a pivotal year. In 1911, he received a major commission to create murals for Borough Polytechnic, now known as London South Bank University. The entries detail his artworks, including his painting "Dancers," as well as his social gatherings with fellow artists, such as Vanessa Bell and Virginia Woolf. Other notable moments in the diary include Grant's account of experiencing the Coronation procession of King George V and Queen Mary in London. The diary also features a photograph of novelist E.M. Forster taken by Vanessa Bell. The auction house Gorringe’s plans to sell the diary on March 25. The diary has a conservative estimated value of £500 to £800 but is expected to sell for much more due to its significance.